Modular room system and method

ABSTRACT

Some embodiments of the present invention employ a modular room including a plurality of modular room components (e.g., anchor assemblies, upright assemblies, etc.). These anchor assemblies and upright assemblies can take different forms permitting assembly of a modular room or modular structure in different manners, and in some cases provide for interchangeable interior and exterior wall panels and components. In some embodiments, a bracket assembly is coupled to an substantially vertical elongated upright for improved strength and stability. Preferably, the anchor assembly has a base plate with at least one edge at an angle with respect to the rest of the base plate for additional strength. If desired, the vertical position of the upright with respect to the base plate can be adjusted. In some embodiments, one or more overhead trusses are used to stabilize the walls of a modular room.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to room structures, and moreparticularly to modular rooms and modular room structures, methods forassembling such rooms and structures, modular room and structurecomponents, and methods of assembling such components.

[0002] Background of the Invention Modular rooms and modular roomstructures are becoming increasingly attractive for use in a variety ofconsumer markets due to the modularity and design flexibility of suchrooms and room structures. Modular rooms are typically employed when anadditional room or structure is required within a larger structure.Among other purposes, such a room can be employed for pharmacies, eyecare stores, banks, and other facilities within a store. Modular roomsare commonly free standing and are located at least partially withinanother larger structure, such as a grocery store, drug store, shoppingcenter, or any other building or structure. However, the modular roomcan share a common wall with the larger structure. For example, the rearwall of the modular room structure may be one of the exterior orinterior walls of the larger structure. A number of different modularroom structures exist, and can be employed in a number of differentfields and in a number of different applications. Such structures can beemployed to connect and/or at least partially stabilize a modular roomupon a floor, to connect portions of the modular room to a floor, tojoin wall panels to one another, and for a number of other purposes.

[0003] Modular rooms can be an alternative to conventional manners ofconstructing additional rooms within the larger structure (e.g., usingcinderblock, walls of wood and sheetrock, etc.) or altering the largerstructure to add an additional room. Both alternatives can be expensive,and can include costs associated with demolition, supplies, labor, etc.In addition, both alternatives create a permanent structure that canonly be altered by incurring the costs of additional construction ordemolition.

[0004] Modular rooms and modular room structures also providesignificant advantages over conventional rooms and room structuresrelating to assembly, transport, disassembly, inventory, manufacturing.For example, modular rooms can often be assembled and disassembled asneeded to simplify manufacturing, shipping, and assembly. However,current modular rooms still require a considerable amount of time (e.g.,several weeks) to assemble and disassemble, and typically have a largenumber of components. As another example, many of the modular roomstructures employed to assemble modular rooms do not permit adjustment,make assembly difficult, and are weak or unstable.

[0005] Compounding these problems is the fact that many conventionalmodular room components, though similar in shape and function, are notinterchangeable with one another. The ability to quickly assemble anddisassemble modular room structures is desirable due to the often heavycosts of space and lost business, as well as other factors associatedwith “down time” of a company or operation that would otherwise be usingthe room structure (such as to conduct business). Similar componentsthat have a variety of sizes, such as, wall panels, cross stretchers,and primary uprights can increase the cost of manufacturing a modularroom or structure, can increase the complexity of assembling anddisassembling the modular room or structure, and can result in a room orstructure that requires a longer time to assemble and disassemble.

[0006] Some existing modular rooms and modular room structures lacksturdiness and can be damaged or ultimately collapse under heavy loads,external forces, and vibration. Modular rooms and modular roomstructures can particularly lack sturdiness as a result of being loadedby shelving, fixtures, equipment, and other elements and structureattached thereto or otherwise exerting force thereon. In addition,modular rooms and other structures must often withstand earthquakes andminimum loading thresholds as required by law.

[0007] Another design issue with regard to modular rooms and modularroom structures is related to the floor or other surface upon which sucha room or structure is assembled. Specifically, some current modularrooms are not well-suited for areas where the floor surface is uneven orsloping. If such modular rooms are located in areas with uneven orsloping floors, problems can arise with regard to assembly andstructural instability.

[0008] Still other problems with many existing modular rooms and modularroom structures are related to the aesthetic appearance of such roomsand structures. For example, many modular rooms and modular roomstructures have only a single exterior color scheme, therefore making itdifficult to match the color scheme of a surrounding structure orenvironment. In addition, current modular rooms and modular roomstructures are often aesthetically unpleasing due to visible structuralelements, fasteners and fastening features, and the like.

[0009] Due to the design of many components of conventional modularrooms and structures, users are often significantly limited in theirability to change the modular room or structure to other configurations.In many cases, a user is therefore only able to assemble the modularroom or structure in one manner. Such inflexibility often presentsproblems during planning and installation of conventional modular roomsand structures.

[0010] With reference now to FIGS. 35 and 36, a problem inherent in thedesign of conventional modular rooms is the inability to employstandardized room components (such as wall panels, stretchers, doors anddoor frame, fixtures, and the like) in both interior and exteriorlocations of the modular room. As will now be described, this problemstems at least in part from the type of modular room components that arecommonly employed in conventional modular room designs.

[0011] Conventional modular rooms employ uprights that define part ofthe “skeleton” of the modular room. Wall panels and other roomcomponents having standard sizes are attached to and are supported bythe uprights to define the walls and perimeter of the modular room. Forpurposes of reduced inventory, easier and less expensive manufacturingand assembly, and room design flexibility, it is desirable to have aminimum number of different wall panel types and a minimum number ofdifferent room components for a modular room. For example, standardizedwall panels available in a limited number of widths (e.g., 24″, 32″ and48″) are preferred over wall panels that must be manufactured in moresizes or to custom dimensions. In addition, it is desirable to employuprights that are relatively inexpensive and occupy as little space aspossible. Accordingly, conventional uprights are commonly designed forconnection to wall panels, stretchers, and other room components onfewer than all sides of the uprights. For example, many conventionaluprights are provided with mounting apertures, fixtures or othermounting features on only two of four sides of each upright. Such adesign enables the other sides of the upright to be used for mounting orhanging fixtures and other elements upon the upright, and can facilitatethe use of more efficient upright cross-sectional shapes (such aselongated rectangular shapes).

[0012] Unfortunately, the use of uprights as just described is at oddswith the use of standardized modular room wall panels and other modularroom components. This is particularly evident in cases where a userdesires to employ the same size modular room wall panels or othermodular room components in the interior and exterior of the modularroom. With continued reference to FIG. 35 for example, the exterior andinterior wall panels W of the modular room M have the same length onlybecause the primary uprights P to which they are connected enable wallconnections on more than two sides and because the primary uprights Poccupy the same amount of space in both planar dimensions (e.g., theprimary uprights P are square). As mentioned above, this is not a highlydesirable design for modular rooms because the primary uprights P do nothave an optimal shape (i.e., efficiently shaped for connection on lessthan all sides and having a reduced cross-sectional size). In otherwords, the primary uprights P must be adapted to be connected to wallpanels and other wall components on three or more sides, must thereforebe designed for sufficient load-bearing capacity on such sides, and aretypically larger and bulkier in order to carry loads in this manner.

[0013] With reference now to FIG. 36, primary uprights can be employedthat are smaller and/or are adapted for connection to wall panels andother wall components on less than all sides. However, to connectinterior wall panels and other wall components, more than one primaryupright P is needed. For example, at each wall joint where two exteriorwall panels W and an interior wall panel W′ are joined, two primaryuprights P are needed as shown in FIG. 36. Accordingly, the interiorwall panel W′ must be smaller than the exterior wall panels W in orderfor the interior wall panels P to properly meet. Therefore, differentinterior and exterior wall panels must be supplied to construct themodular room—a result that is highly undesirable as described in greaterdetail above. Similar problems arise with modular room components to beused on the both exterior and interior of the modular room.

[0014] In light of the problems and limitations of the prior artdescribed above, a need exists for modular room structures that arequick and easy to assemble and disassemble, sturdy, aestheticallypleasing, can match color and design schemes of the larger structures,and can take a variety of shapes and sizes. Each preferred embodiment ofthe present invention achieves one or more of these results.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0015] In order to address many of the problems and limitations of theprior art described above, some embodiments of the present inventionemploy a modular room including a plurality of modular room components(e.g., anchor assemblies, upright assemblies, etc.). These anchorassemblies and upright assemblies can take different forms permittingassembly of a modular room or modular structure in a number of differentmanners. This flexibility enables a user to assemble a modular room orstructure in different sizes, shapes and layouts using a relativelysmall number of elements and components. By assuming a variety ofdifferent sizes, shapes and layouts, the modular room or modular roomstructure can be flexible to accommodate different layouts of largerstructures in which the modular room can be located.

[0016] As discussed above, it is also desirable to have a modular roomor a modular room structure that is quick and easy to assemble anddisassemble and preferably employs modular elements and components. Someembodiments of the present invention employ a reduced number ofdifferent component and element types (e.g., sizes), thereby simplifyingmanufacturing and assembly and reducing the cost of such operations. Forexample, some or all of the components and elements of a modular roomthat are employed to construct an exterior wall of the modular room arepreferably the same as those employed to construct an interior wall ofthe modular room.

[0017] For purposes of increased stability and strength, someembodiments of the present invention have an upright assembly thatincludes a substantially vertical elongated upright and a bracketcoupled to a bottom end of the upright. The upright can have a wallpartially defining an interior of the upright and at least one aperturein the wall. The bracket can have a first portion received within theaperture of the upright that extends into the interior of the uprightand releasably connects at a distal end to an interior wall of theupright. The bracket can also have a second portion extending away fromthe upright to a location where a leg or foot on the bracket rests uponthe ground or floor. Mounting the bracket to the upright in this mannercan transfer at least some of the horizontal force exerted on the wallof the upright in a vertical direction along the upright. In many cases,uprights have more strength in the vertical direction than in thehorizontal direction. Therefore, transferring at least some forceexerted by the bracket upon the sidewall of the upright away from thesidewall results in a stronger and more stable upright.

[0018] Some embodiments of the present invention employ anchorassemblies for connecting one or more uprights of a modular room to theground or a floor. Preferably, the anchor assembly includes a base platehaving a plurality of edges. At least one of the edges can be bent,stamped, formed or otherwise shaped at an angle with respect to the restof the base plate. By employing such angled base plate edges, a strongerand more stable anchor plate results. The angled edge(s) can resistdeformation from bending moments transmitted from the upright to theanchor assembly, thereby increasing the stability of the modular room ormodular room structure employing such anchor plates.

[0019] In some embodiments of the present invention, one or moreoverhead trusses are used to stabilize the walls of a modular room. Inother embodiments of the present invention, one or more overhead trussesare connected to walls, uprights, or other structure, such as shelvingor other product storage and display units. Preferably, one or more ofthe trusses includes a first panel, a second panel that is substantiallyco-planar with respect to the first panel and in end-to-end relationshipwith the first panel, and a beam coupled to the first and second panels.The beam preferably spans and couples the first and second panelstogether. By employing this type of overhead truss structure, theoverhead trusses can be more easily manufactured, transported, andinstalled without sacrificing the strength and stability previouslythought only available in unitary truss structures.

[0020] As discussed above, it is also desirable to have a modular roomthat can be located on uneven ground without loss of stability. Someembodiments of the present invention have a modular room uprightassembly adapted to be coupled to the floor. The upright assembly caninclude an elongated and substantially vertical upright, a base plate,and a foot coupled to the bottom end of the vertical upright via athreaded connection and resting upon the base plate. Preferably, thethreaded connection is adjustable to raise and lower the upright withrespect to the base plate and the floor. The ability to adjust theheight of the upright in this manner enables a user to construct astable modular room on uneven ground. Fixtures and other wall componentscan be more easily connected between adjacent uprights by virtue oftheir common height with respect to the floor.

[0021] It is also desirable to have a modular room that has interior andexterior wall panels and/or wall components and elements of the samewidth. As used herein and in the appended claims, the term “width” (inreference to a wall panel or wall components extending between uprights)refers to the dimension of a wall panel or wall panel component in ahorizontal direction as opposed to a vertical direction. The “width” ofa wall panel or wall panel component may also be thought of as thehorizontal length of the wall panel or wall panel component. Someembodiments of the present invention employ anchor plates that, whenarranged as desired to define exterior walls of a modular room, permitthe same wall panels in exterior walls of a modular room to be used forinterior walls of the modular room. This capability is beneficialbecause a reduced number of “standard-sized” wall panels and wallcomponents can be manufactured rather than manufacturing a variety ofwall panels having various widths. In addition, interchangeability ofwall panels and wall panel components is significantly increased.

[0022] It is also desirable to have a modular room that is aestheticallypleasing. Some embodiments of the present invention have a modular roomwall assembly having a substantially vertical upright that has anelongated body, a plurality of sidewalls and a plurality of aperturesalong the elongated body defined in a first sidewall of the plurality ofsidewalls. The wall assembly can also include a wall panel coupled to asecond sidewall of the plurality of sidewalls and a modesty stripreleasably coupled to and running along at least part of the elongatedbody. The modesty strip can cover at least some of the plurality ofapertures in the sidewall. A modular room having such modesty strips canbe aesthetically pleasing due to the modesty strip covering at leastsome of the plurality of apertures to give the appearance of asubstantially continuous exterior wall.

[0023] Further objects and advantages of the present invention, togetherwith the organization and manner of operation thereof, will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention whentaken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein likeelements have like numerals throughout the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0024] The present invention is further described with reference to theaccompanying drawings, which show preferred embodiments of the presentinvention. However, it should be noted that the invention as disclosedin the accompanying drawings is illustrated by way of example only. Thevarious elements and combinations of elements described below andillustrated in the drawings can be arranged and organized differently toresult in embodiments which are still within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

[0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a modular room according to apreferred embodiment of the present invention;

[0026]FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the modularroom illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0027]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the modular room illustrated inFIG. 2, shown with several external elements removed;

[0028]FIG. 4 is an exploded front view of a portion of the modular roomillustrated in FIG. 1;

[0029]FIG. 5 is an assembled front view of the portion of the modularroom illustrated in FIG. 4;

[0030]FIG. 6 is a detail view of the portion of the modular roomillustrated in FIG. 5, viewed from the outside of the modular room;

[0031]FIG. 7 is an exploded view of another portion of the modular roomillustrated in FIG. 1, viewed from the inside of the modular room;

[0032]FIG. 8 is an assembled perspective view of the portion of themodular room illustrated in FIG. 7;

[0033]FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a first anchor assemblyand primary upright of the modular room illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0034]FIG. 10 is an assembled perspective view of the first anchorassembly and primary upright illustrated in FIG. 9;

[0035]FIG. 11 is a top view of the first anchor assembly and primaryupright illustrated in FIG. 10;

[0036]FIG. 12 is an exploded perspective view of a second anchorassembly and two primary uprights of the modular room illustrated inFIG. 1;

[0037]FIG. 13 is an assembled perspective view of the second anchorassembly and two primary uprights illustrated in FIG. 12;

[0038]FIG. 14 is a top view of the second anchor assembly and twoprimary uprights illustrated in FIG. 13;

[0039]FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view of a third anchor assemblyand two primary uprights of the modular room illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0040]FIG. 16 is an assembled perspective view of the third anchorassembly and two primary uprights illustrated in FIG. 15;

[0041]FIG. 17 is a top view of the third anchor assembly and two primaryuprights illustrated in FIG. 16;

[0042]FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth anchorassembly and two primary uprights of the modular room illustrated inFIG. 1;

[0043]FIG. 19 is an assembled perspective view of the fourth anchorassembly and two primary uprights illustrated in FIG. 18;

[0044]FIG. 20 is a top view of the fourth anchor assembly and twoprimary uprights illustrated in FIG. 19;

[0045]FIG. 21 is a top view of a fifth anchor assembly according to thepresent invention;

[0046]FIG. 22 is a top view of a sixth anchor assembly according to thepresent invention;

[0047]FIG. 23 is a top view of a seventh anchor assembly according tothe present invention, used to connect portions of a wall together at anangle other than a 90° angle;

[0048]FIG. 24 is an exploded perspective view of the first anchorassembly illustrated in FIG. 9 and a base leg bracket assembly;

[0049]FIG. 25 is an assembled perspective view of the first anchorassembly and base leg bracket assembly illustrated in FIG. 24;

[0050]FIG. 26 is a cross-sectional view of the first anchor assembly andbase leg bracket assembly illustrated in FIG. 24, taken along lines26-26 in FIG. 25;

[0051]FIG. 27 is a perspective view of a fixture mountable within themodular room of FIG. 1;

[0052]FIG. 28 is a side view of a portion of the modular roomillustrated in FIG. 1, showing a truss assembly of the modular roomattached to front and rear primary uprights;

[0053]FIG. 29 is a perspective view of an end of the truss assemblyillustrated in FIG. 28;

[0054]FIG. 30 is perspective view of a truss clevis of the modular room;

[0055]FIG. 31 is a top perspective view of truss assembly structures ofthe modular room illustrated in FIG. 1;

[0056]FIG. 32 is a perspective view of an alternativestretcher-to-primary upright connection according to the presentinvention;

[0057]FIG. 33 is a perspective exploded view of an anchor and primaryupright assembly with modesty strips;

[0058]FIG. 34 is a perspective assembly view of the anchor and primaryupright assembly with modesty strips illustrated in FIG. 33;

[0059]FIG. 34A is a top view of the first anchor assembly and primaryupright illustrated in FIG. 11 with a modesty strip;

[0060]FIG. 34B is a top view of an anchor assembly and primary uprightwith an alternative modesty strip;

[0061]FIG. 35 is a top schematic view of a primary upright and wallarrangement according to a prior art modular room;

[0062]FIG. 36 is a top schematic view of a primary upright and wallarrangement according to another prior art modular room;

[0063]FIG. 37 is a top schematic view of a primary upright and wallarrangement according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention; and

[0064]FIG. 38 is a perspective view of an application of the trussassembly structures according to an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0065] A modular room according to a preferred embodiment of the presentinvention is shown in FIG. 1, and is indicated generally at 10. In itsvarious embodiments, the modular room 10 of the present invention islocated partially or fully in another structure, such as a departmentstore or other type of retail store, a shopping mall, or the like.Although the most preferred embodiments of the present invention areinternal with respect to another surrounding structure, it should benoted that one or more walls of the room 10 can define an external wallof such a structure in other embodiments.

[0066] With continued reference to FIG. 1, the modular room 10 employselements and structure that permit rapid assembly of the room 10. Theroom 10 preferably employs a number of standardized components andassemblies enabling such assembly. As described in greater detail below,these components and assemblies can include anchor plates, primaryvertical posts or “uprights” connected to the anchor plates, horizontalbeams or “stretchers” connecting the uprights, secondary vertical postsor “uprights” connected to the stretchers, panels connected to theuprights and/or stretchers, soffit frame members, overhead trusses, andinternal and external fixtures. The use of standardized components alsoreduces the manufacturing costs of the modular room 10, lowers assemblytraining, time, and cost, and simplifies the process of designing rooms10 adapted for different location shapes and sizes. With regard to roomdesign, the modularity of the present invention permits room designs tobe highly specialized (if desired) and to be assembled in any number ofconfigurations to satisfy a wide variety of parameters and requirementsthat may be encountered in different environments, while still using thesame modular room components, assemblies, and assembly methods as roomshaving much simpler or different designs.

[0067] The modular room 10 in the illustrated preferred embodiment has anumber of wall panels 12 connected to primary uprights 14 (optionallycovered by modesty strips in FIG. 1), a door 16, pass-thrus 18,countertops 20, a window 22, a soffit 24 and privacy panels 25. Otherroom types can have any number (including none) of any one or more ofthese elements and assemblies. Although the rooms illustrated in thefigures are generally rectangular or square in shape, it should be notedthat the modular components of the present invention can be arranged toresult in a room that has any other shape desired, including withoutlimitation, L-shaped, T-shaped, and cross-shaped rooms. Modular roomshaving angled wall sections can be achieved with relatively minormodifications to present designs, as are window elements that are widerthan the space between two adjacent primary uprights 14.

[0068]FIGS. 2 and 3 provide additional details regarding the modularroom 10 illustrated in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the modular room 10 is shownpartially exploded, while in FIG. 3, a number of the components of themodular room 10 (such as the wall panels 12, door. 16, pass-thru 18,countertops 20, window 22, soffit 24 and privacy panels 25) arecompletely removed for purposes of clarity.

[0069] With additional reference to FIGS. 4-8, some embodiments of thepresent invention have one or more anchor assemblies 26, stretchers 28,mop boards 30 having apertures 32 defined therein, secondary uprights34, base leg bracket assemblies 36, kick plates 38, cover plates 40 andend plates 42 as will be discussed in more detail later herein. As willbe described in greater detail below, primary uprights 14 are connectedto or are seated within anchor assemblies 26, extend generallyvertically, and are connected together by stretchers 28 to form a“skeleton” of the modular room 10. In some embodiments, the secondaryuprights 24 are connected to the stretchers 28 to further define the“skeleton” of the modular room 10. If desired, one or more base legbracket assemblies 36 can be employed to provide additional support tothe primary uprights 14. Wall panels 12 can be connected to the primaryuprights 14, secondary uprights 24 and/or stretchers 28 to define thewalls of the modular room 10. In addition, any number of doors 16,pass-thrus 18, countertops 20, windows 22, soffits 24, privacy panels25, and mop boards 30 can be directly or indirectly connected to theprimary uprights 14 and/or secondary uprights 24. If desired, one ormore bases (such as gondola-type bases) can be connected to the primaryand/or secondary uprights 14, 24, and can even be defined by kick plates38, cover plates 40, and end plates 42 connected to base leg bracketassemblies 36.

[0070] In many embodiments of the present invention, assembly of themodular room 10 begins with placing and securing a number of anchorassemblies 26 upon a floor surface (which can be concrete, or can evenbe metal, wood, earth, or any other preferably stable floor surface).The anchor assemblies 26 are preferably secured to a floor in placeswhere primary uprights 14 are to be located. The anchor assemblies 26each preferably have a base plate 44 and at least one upright member 46connected thereto. The base plate 44 can be secured to the floor in anyconventional manner, but is most preferably anchored thereto using oneor more conventional anchor bolts 48 (see FIGS. 4-18). Other types offasteners can instead be used as desired. The type of fastener useddepends at least partially upon the surface to which the anchor assembly26 is attached. For example, anchor bolts or masonry nails could be usedfor a concrete floor. Alternatively, bolts, wood screws, or otherthreaded fasteners could be used for a wooden floor. As another example,welds or rivets could be used for a metal floor. One having ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that still other types of fasteners orfastening methods can be used with each floor type.

[0071] With reference to FIGS. 9-23, various constructions of anchorassemblies 26 are illustrated and can all be used in the modular room 10illustrated in FIGS. 1-3. The various constructions of anchor assemblies26 allow the room 10 to be highly specialized (if desired) and to beassembled in any number of configurations to satisfy a wide variety ofparameters and requirements that may be encountered in differentenvironments. The various anchor assemblies 26 can also be used invarious locations and have various functions within the room 10. Moreparticularly, the anchor assemblies 26 can be used in corners of theroom 10, along exterior walls of the room 10, and to form interiorrooms/areas within the exterior walls of the room 10.

[0072] In those cases where threaded fasteners or anchor bolts 48 areemployed as shown in the figures, the anchor assemblies 26 preferablyhave apertures 50 through which the threaded fasteners or anchor bolts48 pass. Each anchor assembly 26 can be secured to the floor with anynumber of fasteners desired. Most preferably however, each anchorassembly 26 is secured to the floor with at least two fasteners 48.

[0073] The upright members 46 can be connected to the base plate 44 ofeach anchor assembly 26 in any conventional manner, but most preferablyare connected thereto by welds (not shown). In other embodiments, theupright members 46 can even be integral with the base plate 44, or canbe connected thereto with adhesive or cohesive bonding material, one ormore screws, rivets, bolts, or other conventional fasteners,inter-engaging elements, and the like. The upright members 46 preferablyextend vertically from the base plate 44, and can also extend at anon-orthogonal angle with respect thereto if desired. The uprightmembers 46 shown in the figures are C-shaped channels that can face oneanother or can be in any other orientation with respect to one another(in those cases where two or more upright members 46 are used with thesame base plate 44). As will be discussed in greater detail below, theupright members 46 serve as a structural connection for the ends of theprimary uprights 14. Other upright member shapes can be employed toperform this same function. By way of example only, any one or more ofthe C-shaped channels in FIGS. 9-23 can be replaced by tube sectionshaving any cross-sectional shape, by angle irons, I-beams, solid bars orposts, or elements having any other cross sectional shape. In additionto other advantages provided by C-shaped channels (described in greaterdetail below), C-shaped channels are preferred due to their relativelyhigh strength-to-weight ratio and their relatively low cost.

[0074] The primary uprights 14 are preferably secured to the anchorassemblies 26 via the upright members 46 on the anchor assemblies 26. Inthe illustrated preferred embodiments, the lower ends of the primaryuprights 14 are each placed adjacent to at least one upright member 46and are attached thereto by one or more threaded fasteners 52 passedthrough apertures in the upright members 46 and the primary uprights 14.Where C-shaped upright members 46 are employed, the ends of the C-shapedmembers preferably contact the primary uprights 14 as best shown inFIGS. 11, 14, 17 and 20. However, any relative orientation of theupright members 46 with respect to the primary uprights 14 is possibleand falls within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Forexample, the C-shaped upright member 46 can be oriented such that itcontacts a primary upright 14 with the middle section or a side of theC-shaped upright member 46. In this regard, any manner of contactbetween the upright member(s) 46 and the primary upright 14 also fallswithin the spirit and scope of the present invention. By way of exampleonly, the upright members 46 in the illustrated preferred embodimentscontact the primary uprights 14 along the edges of the C-shaped uprightmembers 46, thereby establishing line contact with the C-shaped uprightmembers 46. Such contact is highly preferred for its capacity to firmlyhold an upright member 46 in a desired position.

[0075] However, the upright member(s) 46 of an anchor assembly 26 cancontact a primary upright 14 in any other manner desired. By way ofexample only, such contact can be across one or more planar surfaces ofan upright member 46 abutting the primary upright 14, can be one or morepoints of contact, or the like. The manner in which the upright member46 contacts the primary upright 14 depends at least in part upon theshape of the upright member 46 (discussed above). For example, anupright member having an I or U-shaped cross-section can have the sametype of contact with the primary upright 14 as a C-shaped upright member46. As another example, a tube, post, or a bar or plate-shaped uprightmember 46 can be clamped against a side of the upright member 46 to bein planar contact with the upright member 46. In still otherembodiments, an angle iron provides line contact with the primaryupright 14.

[0076] Preferably, the fastener(s) 52 used to connect the primaryuprights 14 to the upright members 46 not only hold these elementstogether, but also exert a clamping force with the upright members 46upon the primary uprights 14 for a more rigid connection. In someembodiments of the present invention, the fasteners 52 are threadedthrough threaded apertures in the upright members 46 and can betightened against the lateral walls of the primary uprights 14 to holdthe primary uprights 14 in place. In other embodiments, the fasteners 52are threaded through threaded apertures in the primary uprights 14 inorder to draw the primary uprights 14 firmly against the upright members46. In still other embodiments, the fasteners 52 are passed throughnon-threaded holes in the upright members 46 and the primary uprights 14and can clamp the upright members 46 against the primary uprights 14 bytightening a nut or other such element on the fastener 52. Other mannersof clamping the primary uprights 14 in place with respect to the uprightmembers 46 using fasteners are possible, each one of which falls withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0077] With continued reference to FIGS. 9-23, the primary uprights 14can be connected to multiple upright members 46 if desired, such as bybeing sandwiched between two upright members as shown in FIGS. 9-11,15-17 and 22. In these cases, separate fasteners can be used to connecteach upright member 46 to the primary upright 14, or the same fastenerscan be used to connect two or more upright members 46 to the primaryupright 14 as shown in FIGS. 9-11, 15-17 and 22. Any number of fastenerslocated at any desired position relative to the upright members 46 andprimary upright 14 can be used.

[0078] Some types of anchor assemblies 26 are employed to secure onlyone primary upright 14 as shown in FIGS. 9-11, while others (see FIGS.12-23) are adapted to secure two or more primary uprights 14 preferablyin the same manner or a similar manner as those described above.

[0079] Each upright member 46 or set of upright members 46 can beoriented on the base plate 44 in any manner desired. In this way, theanchor assemblies 26 can be adapted to orient the primary uprights 14 inany manner. Examples of different upright member orientations (andtherefore, of different primary upright orientations) are illustrated inFIGS. 9-23. In some preferred embodiments of the present invention,various elements and structures can be connected to the primary uprights14 on fewer than all sides thereof. Accordingly, the orientation of theupright members 46 on the anchor assemblies 26 (and therefore theorientation of the primary uprights 14 connected thereto) at leastpartially determines the orientation of these various elements andstructures when connected to the primary uprights 14. For example, theprimary uprights 14 illustrated in FIGS. 9-23 are adapted to beconnectable to stretchers 28 on two of the four primary upright sides.Therefore, two or more primary uprights 14 on the same anchor assembly26 and mounted in different orientations may be needed to connectadjacent walls in a non-parallel fashion. Accordingly, the anchorassemblies 26 of the present invention can each have a single uprightmember 46, can each have two or more upright members 46 for connectionof more than one upright member 46 to a primary upright 14, or can havetwo or more upright members 46 for securing two or more primary uprights14 in different locations and/or orientations on the same anchorassembly 26 (whether to enable the connection of walls or other elementsof the modular room 10 at different angles with respect to one anotheror otherwise).

[0080] The shape of the base plate 44 can be selected according to thedesired positions of one or more upright members 46 on the base plate44, the location of the anchor assembly 26 with respect to walls orother portions of the room 10, and the function of the anchor assembly26 as an element of the modular room 10. For example, the base plate 44can be straight such as those illustrated in FIGS. 9-11, can be angledsuch as those illustrated in FIGS. 12-23, can be in the shape of a V, T,X, or can take any other shape desired.

[0081] With continued reference to FIGS. 9-20, the upright members 46 ofthe anchor assemblies 26 can be provided with apertures 54 for access tothe primary uprights 14 when connected to the anchor assemblies 26. Inaddition to assisting in the assembly process, these apertures 54 can beused for wiring access into and through the primary uprights 14, such asfor distributing electrical wiring, telecommunications lines, orcomputer cables through the primary uprights 14 and through adjacentwalls of the room 10, for cable management, and the like. Preferably,when the primary uprights 14 are connected to the anchor assemblies 26,the apertures 54 are at least partially aligned with one or moreapertures 56 in the primary uprights 14 to enable access into andthrough the primary uprights 14.

[0082] The anchor assemblies 26 can be used to support significantloads, such as the weight of walls and fixtures connected to the primaryuprights 14. The anchor assemblies 26 are therefore preferably made froma high strength material such as steel, iron, aluminum, or other metal,composites, or high-strength plastic.

[0083] To further withstand heavy loading, the anchor assemblies 26 ofsome preferred embodiments have flanged edges to resist bending momentsplaced upon the anchor assemblies 26. With reference to FIGS. 9-23 forexample, ends of the base plate 44 have upturned flanges 68 which resistbending of the base plate 44 under heavy loads. The flanges 68 can beturned in any manner and to any degree to accomplish this same function,but preferably are not turned to interfere with mounting the base plate44 upon a surface as described above. In some highly preferredembodiments, the flanges 68 are at approximately a 90° angle withrespect to the base plate 44. The flanges 68 can be defined by bentedges of the base plate 44, can be formed with the base plate 44 (suchas by being cast, molded, or machined with the base plate 44), or caneven be separate elements connected to the base plate 44 by welding,brazing, fasteners, or in any other conventional manner. Different edgesof the base plate 44 can be flanged according to the anticipated mannerin which loads will be placed upon the anchor assembly 26. Any number offlanges 68 can be located at any or all of the edges of the anchor plate26.

[0084] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, theprimary uprights 14 are vertically adjustable in order to level variouselements and structures connected thereto (such as wall panels,fixtures, and the like). A preferred manner of performing this functionis illustrated in FIGS. 24-26. Specifically, an elevation-adjustingelement or a threaded element 58 can be received within a threadedaperture 60 in a bottom plate 62 connected to the bottom of a primaryupright 14. The bottom plate 62 can be connected to the primary upright14 in any conventional manner, including any of the manners ofconnection described above with reference to the relationship betweenthe base plate 44 and the upright member 46 of the anchor assembly 26.Most preferably however, the bottom plate 62 is connected to the primaryupright 14 by welds (not shown). In other embodiments, the bottom plate62 can even be integral with the primary uprights 14.

[0085] The threaded element 58 is preferably a bolt or threaded rod. Inother embodiments, the threaded aperture 60 can be defined in an end capsecured in the end of the primary upright 14, a boss or flange extendingfrom an internal wall of the primary upright 14, and the like. Byrotating the threaded element 58, the threaded element 58 can raise orlower the primary upright 14 (along with elements and structuresconnected thereto). In this manner, the end of the threaded element 58resting upon the base plate 44 acts as a foot for the primary upright14. The lower ends of the upright members 46 can be recessed (at 64) orcan have notches or apertures providing tool access to the threadedelement 58 in order to raise or lower the primary upright 14. As thethreaded element 58 is turned, an end of the threaded element 58 canpress against the floor, the base plate 44 of the anchor assembly 26 asshown in the figures, or against another element beneath the threadedelement 58. After the primary upright 14 has been elevated or lowered toa desired height, the fasteners 52 can be used to secure the primaryupright 14 in place as described in greater detail above. To this end,apertures 63 in the primary upright 14 through which the fasteners 52are received can be elongated or can otherwise be shaped to permit thefasteners 52 to move and be secured in different positions with respectto the primary upright 14.

[0086] Other elevation-adjusting elements and mechanisms can be used inplace of the threaded element 58 and threaded aperture 60 describedabove. By way of example, the anchor assemblies 26 can each be providedwith any type of conventional jack, such as a ratchet jack, a scissorjack, and the like. Still other elevation-adjusting elements andmechanisms are possible, each one of which falls within the spirit andscope of the present invention.

[0087] With reference to FIGS. 24-26, the base leg bracket assembly 36can be employed in some cases where additional strength and/or rigidityof the primary upright 14 and anchor assembly 26 are desired. Forexample, the primary uprights 14 of the modular room 10 can experiencesignificant lateral forces, such as forces from the weight of elements(e.g., wall panels 12, countertops 20, shelves and fixtures (not shown),and the like) directly or indirectly connected to the primary uprights14. These forces can generate torque at the connection of the primaryuprights 14 to the anchor assemblies 26. To increase the resistance tosuch torque, some preferred embodiments of the present invention employone or more brackets attached to the bottom of the primary upright 14 inorder to distribute the torque to a location disposed from the primaryupright. In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 24 for example, a bracketassembly 36 is attached to the primary upright 14 as will be describedin greater detail below.

[0088] A problem encountered with the use of brackets and bracketassemblies 36 is the undesirable forces often exerted upon a face of theprimary upright 14 by the bracket or bracket assembly 36 under load. Insome cases, the forces are sufficiently strong to cause the face of theprimary upright 14 (which is typically capable of bearing significantlymore axial load than lateral load) to deform or buckle. The bracketassembly 36 of the present invention addresses this problem bytransferring at least some of the force exerted by the bracket assembly36 upon the primary upright 14 to an element within or at the end of theprimary upright 14, thereby changing lateral forces upon the primaryupright 14 to axial forces upon the primary upright 14. More precisely,the resulting forces are a combination of axial and lateral forcesexerted upon the end of the primary upright 14. For purposes ofidentification however, the term “axial” will be used hereinafter torefer to the direction of such resulting forces.

[0089] In some embodiments of the present invention, the bracketassembly 36 is attached to the bottom plate 62 at the end of and/orattached to the primary upright 14 as described above. In theillustrated embodiments, the bottom plate 62 includes elongatedapertures 66 within which the bracket assembly 36 can be received toconnect the bracket assembly 36 to the bottom plate 62.

[0090] The base leg bracket assembly 36 preferably has one or moreconnection fingers 70 which can be inserted into apertures 72 in theprimary upright 14. In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the baseleg bracket assembly 36 has two such fingers 70. Although the fingers 70can take any shape capable of being received within the apertures 72,the fingers 70 are preferably downturned to permit the leg bracketassembly 36 to be inserted into the primary upright 14 and then pusheddown into place as best shown in FIG. 26.

[0091] In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the lower finger 70inserts into the elongated aperture 66 in the bottom plate 62.Thereafter, when torque is applied to the primary upright 14 by theoff-center weight of elements connected to the primary upright 14 orfrom forces exerted upon such elements and/or the primary upright 14,torque is preferably transferred from the primary upright 14 to the baseleg bracket assembly 36 and through the bottom plate 62 rather thanexclusively upon a side face (or other surface that contacts the baseleg bracket assembly 36) of the primary upright 14. In other words, whentorque is applied to the primary upright 14 as described above, thelower finger 70 of the bracket assembly 36 preferably engages the bottomplate 62 and pulls upward or pushes downward on the bottom plate 62(depending on which direction the torque is applied). Transferringtorque to the base leg bracket assembly 36 via the bottom plate 62 candecrease the amount of horizontal force applied to the primary upright14 by the bracket assembly 36.

[0092] The bracket assembly in the illustrated preferred embodiment isattached to the bottom plate 62 by extending into the primary upright 14and through an aperture 66 in the bottom plate 62. Although this bracketassembly structure is preferred, it should be noted that a number ofother bracket assembly shapes and structures can be employed to performthe same function. Specifically, any part of the bracket assembly 36 canextend to and connect with the bottom plate in any desired manner. Byway of example only, a threaded fastener on the end of the bracket canbe received within an aperture in the bottom plate 62 and can be securedin place therein with a nut. As another example, the bottom plate 62 canhave a finger, hook, apertured plate, or other extension received withinthe end of the primary upright 14 for connection therein to fingers,hooks, conventional fasteners, or other elements on the bracket assembly36. Still other manners of connecting the bracket assembly 36 to thebottom plate 62 are possible and fall within the spirit and scope of thepresent invention.

[0093] It should also be noted that the bracket assembly 36 need notnecessarily connect to a bottom plate 62 as described above in order toperform the function of exerting axially-directed force upon the primaryupright 14. The bracket assembly 36 can connect to a number of otherstructures and elements on the primary upright 14 to perform thisfunction. By way of example only, the bracket assembly 36 can engage apost, pin, rod, fastener shank, or other element within the primaryupright 14 and extending across the interior of the primary upright 14,can be received within an aperture of a plate or other element securedinside the primary upright 14 in any conventional manner, and the like.Such other elements to which the bracket assembly 36 can be connectedalso fall within the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0094] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention, the legbracket assembly 36 has a locking element 74 attached thereto which canbe pushed into an aperture in the primary upright 14 (such as one of theapertures 72 for the fingers 70 of the bracket assembly 36) in order toprevent the leg bracket assembly 36 from being lifted within theapertures 72 in the primary upright 14. In the illustrated preferredembodiment, the locking element 74 is a slide connected to the legbracket assembly 36 by a pin 76 slidably received within an elongatedaperture 78 (see FIG. 26) in the leg bracket assembly 36. By pushing thelocking element 74 toward the primary upright 14 and into the aperture72 in the primary upright 14, the locking element 74 occupies theaperture 72 above the lower finger 70, thereby preventing removal of thelower finger 70 without retraction of the locking element 74 from theaperture 72. One having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate thatother elements and devices can be used to prevent the fingers 70 of theleg bracket assembly 36 from lifting in their respective apertures 72following installation of the leg bracket assembly 36.

[0095] The leg bracket assembly 36 also preferably has a leg 80 whichrests upon the ground or floor adjacent to the primary upright 14. Inthis manner, the leg 80 preferably carries some forces away from theprimary upright 14 and anchor assembly 26, thereby reducing the amountof torque upon the anchor assembly 26 and bottom end of the primaryupright 14.

[0096] The finger and aperture connection of the leg bracket assembly 36is only one preferred manner of connecting the leg bracket assembly 36to the primary upright 14. In other embodiments of the presentinvention, the leg bracket assembly 36 can be connected to the primaryupright 14 by one or more fasteners (such as threaded fasteners, rivets,clamps, and the like), by welding the leg bracket assembly 36 to theprimary upright 14 or in any other conventional manner. Most preferably,the leg bracket assembly 36 is removable from the primary upright 14 asshown in the figures.

[0097] With continued reference to FIGS. 24-26, the leg 80 of the legbracket assembly 36 is adjustable in some embodiments in order to levelthe leg bracket assembly 36 and the elements and structures connectedthereto. Preferably, this adjustability is enabled by a threaded rod 82connected to a foot 84 of the leg bracket assembly 36. By turning thethreaded rod 82 and/or foot 84, the threaded rod 82 preferably threadsinto or out of a threaded aperture in the leg 80 and thereby adjusts thelevel of the leg bracket assembly 36. Like the threaded element 58 andthreaded aperture 60 assembly for the primary uprights 14 describedabove, several alternative elevation-adjusting elements and devicesexist which can instead be used to level the leg bracket assembly 36. Byway of example, the leg bracket assembly 36 can be provided with anytype of conventional jack, such as a ratchet jack, a scissor jack, andthe like, can be secured in place with respect to a telescoping post ortube within the leg 80 by a pin received within mating apertures in theleg 80 and telescoping post or tube, and the like.

[0098] Referring back to FIGS. 2-20, the primary uprights 14 arepreferably tubular elements having multiple apertures 86 along at leastpart of their length. These tubular elements can have anycross-sectional shape (including without limitation, rectangular,square, triangular, round, oval, and irregular shapes), but mostpreferably are rectangular as shown in the figures. The apertures 86preferably enable many different types of structural components andfixtures to be connected to the vertical uprights 14 in multiplelocations and in different adjustable configurations along the lengththereof. For greater adjustability, the primary uprights 14 can haveseveral apertures 86 located closely together along at least a portionof the length of the primary uprights 14. Although the apertures 86 canrun along any length of the primary uprights 14, the apertures 86preferably run the entire length or nearly the entire length of theprimary uprights 14. Most preferably, a large number of apertures 86running along most or all of the primary uprights 14 are used to permitattachment of different types of structural components and fixtures in alarge number of locations and at a wide range of heights along theprimary uprights 14. If less adjustability is desired, fewer apertures86 can be used. Similarly, if connection of different types ofstructural components and fixtures to only a portion of the primaryupright 14 is desired, the apertures 86 can be located on only one ormore parts of the primary upright 14.

[0099] The apertures 86 are preferably rectangularly shaped as shown inthe figures. However, the apertures 86 can instead take any other shapedesired, including without limitation, square, triangular, key, oval,round, and irregular shapes.

[0100] A valuable feature of the present invention is the ability toattach a number of different structural components and fixtures(hereinafter collectively referred to as “fixtures”) to the primaryuprights 14. With reference for example to FIGS. 1, 2, 4-8 and 27,fixtures can include wall panels 12, doors 16, pass-thrus 18,countertops 20, windows 22, soffits 24, privacy panels 25, mop boards30, base leg bracket assemblies 36, and kick plates 38. As will bedescribed in greater detail below, the primary uprights 14 thereforeperform the functions of bearing the loads of walls, windows, conduits,trusses, and other structural components of the room as well assupporting the fixtures used for outfitting the room for its particularpurpose, such as, for example, use as a pharmacy. Thus, an importantfeature of the present invention is the ability of the primary uprights14 to serve several different functions.

[0101] Preferably, apertures 86 are located on portions of the primaryuprights 14 facing the inside or the outside of the modular room 10. Inthe case of primary uprights 14 having rectangular cross sections asillustrated in the figures, the apertures 86 can be located on oppositesides of the primary uprights 14. To connect a fixture or other elementto the apertures 86 on a primary upright 14, the fixture or otherelement preferably has one or more fingers 88 that are received withinthe apertures 86. An example of such fingers 88 is illustrated in FIG.27, which shows part of a shelf unit that can be mounted to two primaryuprights 14. Preferably, the fingers 88 are curved, downturned, notched,or otherwise interconnect within the apertures 86 when installedtherein. In this manner, the fingers 88 can be securely installed in theapertures 86.

[0102] It should be noted that a number of alternatives exist by whichfixtures or other elements can be connected to the primary uprights 14.For example, such fixtures or other elements can be connected byfasteners threaded into apertures in the primary uprights 14, by slotswithin which are received pins, posts, fingers or other elements asdescribed in greater detail below with regard to lateral connectors 90of the primary uprights 14, and the like.

[0103] With reference to FIGS. 28-30, the primary uprights 14 alsopreferably provide support for the overhead structure of the modularroom 10, including the ceiling. Specifically, overhead trusses 92, beams94, and other elements can be connected to the primary uprights 14 tosupport the ceiling and to keep the uprights 14 in proper orientationrelative to one another.

[0104] Accordingly, an important function of the primary uprights 14 isto support the walls and overhead structure of the modular room 10.However, as described above, the primary uprights 14 are also adapted topermit attachment of fixtures thereto. These fixtures can have anauxiliary load-bearing or structural purpose, but normally perform nofunction to support the room (or the framework thereof). The use of thesame structural members to perform both functions saves space andmanufacturing and assembly costs, results in a simpler room design andrapid assembly, and increases the modularity of the room 10 (enablinggreater flexibility in the location of fixtures, the height and relativespacing thereof, etc.). For example, by using shelving, cabinets,countertops, workstations, or other elements or assemblies that can beattached at any height to two adjacent primary uprights 14 in themodular room 10 or to stretchers 28 attached to the primary uprights 14,elements that would otherwise be needed for assembling the shelving areeliminated, such as shelf mounting assemblies, frames, and stands. Also,the shelves can be moved from location to location within the modularroom 10 as needed without the need for additional structure to positionand mount the shelves. All the structure that is needed already existsin the primary uprights 14. As can be appreciated, such ease in beingable to adjust and readjust the configuration of the fixtures as may berequired for any particular purpose or setting, without the need foradditional structural or support members, contributes to the invention'swide utility.

[0105] Another advantage of employing primary uprights 14 to positionand mount fixtures is related to the position of the primary uprights 14in the modular room structure. In particular, the primary uprights 14are preferably accessible from both sides of the wall in which theprimary uprights 14 are located. The primary uprights 14 preferably haveapertures 86 that face into the modular room 10 and apertures 86 thatface the environment outside of the modular room 10. Therefore, fixturessuch as shelves, media displays, racks, and the like can be mounted tothe exterior of the modular room 10 using the same primary uprights 14to which are secured interior room fixtures and room structuralframework as described above.

[0106] The primary uprights 14 are preferably also provided with lateralconnectors 90 for connecting adjacent primary uprights 14 as describedin greater detail below and for lateral connection of other elements andassemblies to the primary uprights 14. The lateral connectors 90 canalso be apertures in the primary uprights 14 in which elements andassemblies can be connected, or can take the form of other connectortypes which mate with such elements and assemblies.

[0107] Two examples of lateral connector types are illustrated in thefigures by way of example. The first type of lateral connector 90 isbest shown in FIGS. 9-11, 14-20, 24, 25 and 29 and is a slot withinwhich pins, posts, fingers, or other elements are received forconnection to the primary uprights 14. In the illustrated preferredembodiments, the elements which connect with the lateral connectors 90are headed posts 96 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 7. An element having suchheaded posts 96 is connected with the lateral connectors 90 by slidingthe posts 96 into the slots defined therein. After the headed posts 96or other elements are located in position in the slots of the lateralconnectors 90, a threaded fastener can be tightened to secure theelement or assembly in place with respect to the lateral connector 90.Alternatives to threaded fasteners are possible, and include rivets,pins passed through holes in the element or assembly and the lateralconnector 90 or primary upright 14, and the like. Althoughupwardly-opening lateral connector slots are preferred as shown in thefigures, it should be noted that slots having other orientations arepossible.

[0108] Another type of lateral connector 90 is illustrated in FIG. 32.In this embodiment, the lateral connector is defined by one or moretongues 98 which are integral with or connected to the primary uprights14 and which are shaped to receive a pin, bolt, or other fastener 100between the tongue 98 and the primary upright 14. One or more tongues102 on the element or assembly to be connected to the primary uprights14 are also shaped to receive the pin, bolt, or other fastener 100,thereby trapping the fastener 100 between the tongues 98 of the primaryupright 14 and the tongues 102 of the element or assembly connectedthereto. If desired, the pin, bolt, or other fastener 100 can be securedbetween the tongues 98, 102 with a pin 104. Like the slot-type lateralconnector described above, the tongues 98, 102 can take any relativeorientation desired. In addition, any number of tongues 98, 102 canexist for each lateral connector 90.

[0109] Other types of lateral connectors 90 can be employed to laterallyconnect an element or assembly to a primary upright 14. By way ofexample only, the lateral connectors 90 can be a plurality of aperturesin the primary uprights 14 into which fingers on the element or assemblycan extend in a manner similar to the apertures 86 described above.Still other types of lateral connectors 90 are possible and fall withinthe spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0110] The lateral connectors 90 of the present invention can be definedin the primary uprights 14, such as by one or more apertures located inthe lateral walls of the primary uprights 14 or elements cut, bent, orotherwise formed from the lateral walls of the primary uprights 14.Alternatively, the lateral connectors 90 can be defined by individualelements connected to the primary uprights 14 in any conventional manner(such as by one or more conventional fasteners, by welding, clamps, andthe like). In still other embodiments, the lateral connectors 90 can bedefined in or connected to another element which itself is connected tothe primary uprights 14 in any conventional manner (including those justmentioned). This latter alternative is employed in many of theillustrated preferred embodiments of the present invention, and is bestshown in FIGS. 9-11, 14-20, 24, 25 and 29. More specifically, thelateral connectors 90 in the illustrated preferred embodiments arepreferably defined in rails 106 attached to the primary uprights 14. Theuse of rails 106 is preferred because the rails 106 act to strengthenand increase the rigidity of the primary uprights 14.

[0111] Any number of lateral connectors 90 can be used for each primaryupright 14. An advantage of using multiple lateral connectors 90 foreach rail 106 is that elements and assemblies can be connected laterallyto the primary uprights 14 at multiple locations corresponding todifferent heights along the primary uprights 14. Such an arrangementpermits a great amount of flexibility in assembling different room andfixture configurations, contributing to the modularity of the inventionand its adaptability to many different environments. In addition, thelateral connectors 90 can act as backing for external wall panels andretainers for interior wall panels.

[0112] Another advantage of using a rail-type structure for the lateralconnectors 90 is that the rail 106 can be shaped and dimensioned tocooperate with an upright member 46 of the anchor assembly 26 in orderto further stabilize the upright member 46 against movement with respectto the anchor assembly 26 and to provide a more secure connection of theprimary upright 46 to the anchor assembly 26. In other words, the rail106 in some embodiments is received within, mates, engages, orinter-engages with, or otherwise cooperates with the upright member 46of the anchor assembly 26. Preferably, the rail 106 prevents or limitsmovement of the primary upright 14 with respect to the upright member 46(and therefore, the anchor assembly 26) in one or more directions.

[0113] By way of example only, the rail 106 in the illustrated preferredembodiments is positioned between the two ends of a C-shaped uprightmember 46. The two ends prevent the rail 106 and, therefore, the primaryupright 14 from moving laterally with respect to the C-shaped uprightmember 46. Also, the C-shaped upright member 46 and the fasteners 52prevent the primary upright 14 from moving vertically (due to theprimary upright 14 being fastened to the upright member 46) and towardand away from the C-shaped upright member 46 (also due to the primaryupright being fastened to the upright member).

[0114] Other elements that function in much the same way as the C-shapedupright members 46 can also or instead be used to prevent the primaryupright 14 from moving in all three dimensional directions. For example,a rail 106 can be received between the webs of an I-shaped uprightmember 46 to prevent lateral movement of the rail 106 and primaryupright 14. As another example, the rail 106 can have one or morelongitudinal recesses, each of which receives an edge of an uprightmember 46 or a side of the upright member for the same purpose. Inshort, the rail 106 in many preferred embodiments is shaped to receiveor be received within at least part of an upright member 46 in order tofurther limit movement of the rail 106 (and therefore, the primaryupright 14) with respect to the upright member 46. Any cooperatingshapes of the rail 106 and upright member 46 can be employed and fallwithin the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0115] Although the upright members 46 of the anchor assemblies 26preferably receive or are received within rails 106 attached to orintegral with the primary uprights 14 as described above, such elementson the upright members 46 do not necessarily need to be rails 106. Insome embodiments, the rails 106 are much shorter, and run only part ofthe length of the primary uprights 14 or are located on only a smallportion of the primary uprights 14 (such as at the bottom ends of theprimary uprights 14 for engagement with the upright members 46 of theanchor assemblies 26 as also described above). In other embodiments, theprimary uprights 46 can receive or be received within other elements orstructure on the primary uprights 14, such as a lateral extension of theprimary uprights 14, a fixture attached to the bottom of the primaryuprights 14 and engagable with an upright member 46, and the like.However, rails 106 such as those described above are preferred for theirdual purpose: providing or defining lateral connectors 90 to whichelements and structure can be attached (for securing such elements andstructure to a primary upright 14) and providing structure on the bottomend of a primary upright 14 for engagement with an upright member 46.

[0116] With reference again to FIGS. 2, 4, and 7, the primary uprights14 of the modular room 10 can be connected together by a number ofdifferent elements, collectively referred to herein as “stretchers” 28.The stretchers 28 function to support the primary uprights 14, and as askeleton upon which the fixtures and wall panels of the modular room 10can be attached. In some preferred embodiments such as the illustratedpreferred embodiments, threaded fasteners (not shown) are passed throughcountersunk apertures in wall panels 12 and into apertures in thestretchers 28 to attach the wall panels 12 to the stretchers 28. Othermeans of attaching wall panels 12 to the stretchers 28 and/or directlyto the primary uprights 14 exist, each of which falls within the spiritand scope of the present invention.

[0117] The stretchers 28 can also help define an electrical enclosurewithin the walls of the modular room 10. This type of stretcher 108 isbest shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, and preferably includes an area thereinthat can be used for routing electrical lines, telecommunicationswiring, and even plumbing if desired. To this end, the stretcher 108 canbe a frame structure without sides for easy access from all areas aroundthe stretcher 108, can have one or more exposed sides and one or morecovered sides for more limited access to the interior of the stretcher108, or can be enclosed with the exception of the stretcher ends 108.

[0118] For additional flexibility to position and mount fixtures withinthe modular room 10, secondary uprights 34 can be connected to thestretchers 28 (see FIGS. 7 and 8). In some embodiments, the secondaryuprights 34 have apertures 110 that are the same or similar to theapertures 86 in the primary uprights 14. Therefore, fixtures and otherelements can preferably be positioned and mounted upon the secondaryuprights 34 in the same manner as they are upon the primary uprights 14.The secondary uprights 34 can be connected to upper and/or lowerstretchers 28 in any manner desired, such as by inter-engaging elements,conventional fasteners, welding, adhesive or cohesive bonding material,and the like. For example, in some preferred embodiments such as thoseshown in the figures, some or all of the stretchers 28 have apertures112 in which fingers, posts, or other elements 114 extending from thesecondary uprights 34 can be received. The fingers, posts, or otherelements 114 can be attached to the secondary uprights 34 withconventional fasteners, can be welded or brazed thereto, or can even beintegral with the secondary uprights 34. Most preferably, the apertures112 of the stretchers 28 are located in a number of positions along thestretchers 28 to permit the secondary uprights 34 to be laterallypositioned as desired. This enables fixtures of different dimensions tobe positioned and mounted to the primary 14 and/or secondary uprights34.

[0119] Overhead structure of the modular room 10 can be employed tofurther strengthen and stabilize the modular room 10. A preferredoverhead structural system is illustrated in FIGS. 28-30. A primarycomponent of this system is the truss 92 preferably sufficiently long tospan across the modular room 10. The solid truss 92 is preferablysufficiently strong and stiff to span this distance while imparting aslittle weight as possible upon the primary uprights 14. To this end, thepreferred truss structure of the present invention is composite, andincludes panels 116 with beams 94 running along and connected to thepanel edges. The beams 94 can take the form of C-shaped channels. Insome embodiments such as the illustrated preferred embodiments, thepanels 116 are made of wood, and more preferably are made of plywoodsheeting, while the beams 94 are made of a relatively strong, resilient,and stiff material such as aluminum, steel, iron, or other metal.Alternatively, the panels 116 could be made from plastic, compositesheeting, particleboard, or any other preferably relatively lightweightsheeting capable of withstanding end loading. Although metal beams arepreferred, the beams 94 could instead be made from high-strengthplastic, fiberglass, composites, and the like.

[0120] If desired, multiple panels 116 can be used in a truss member 92as shown in the figures. In such cases, the panels 116 are preferablyspliced together by splicer beams 118 that can take the form of C-shapedchannels spanning the spliced area of the panels 116 as best shown inFIGS. 28 and 31. Splicer beams 118 are not necessarily required for astrong splice between panels 116, such as when the truss beams 94 rununinterrupted past the spliced area. However, splicer beams 118 arepreferably employed for additional truss strength and rigidity. Thetruss splicer beams 118 can be attached to the truss 92 in a number ofdifferent ways, such as by welding the truss splicer beams 118 to thetruss beams 94 or by attaching the truss splicer beams 118 to thespliced area with conventional fasteners, etc. Most preferably, bolts120 are received within apertures in the truss splicer beams 118, trussbeams 94, and spliced panels 116 as shown in FIGS. 28 and 31.

[0121] Although C-shaped truss beams 94 and splicer beams 118 arepreferred, these elements can take a number of other forms capable ofproviding strength and rigidity to the truss 92. For example, the trussbeams 94 and/or the splicer beams 118 can have an L-shaped cross sectionfor overlapping the edge and an adjacent side of panels 116, can besubstantially flat and run along the edge of the panels 116, and thelike.

[0122] The trusses 92 can be attached to the primary uprights 14 in anumber of different ways. For example, the trusses 92 can be connectedto the primary uprights 14 by lateral connectors such as those describedabove, by brackets having fingers that are received within the apertures86 of the primary uprights 14 in a manner similar to the base legbracket assembly 36 described above, by conventional threaded fasteners,and the like. In some highly preferred embodiments however, trussdevises 122 are attached to the ends of the trusses 92 with bolts 125 asbest shown in FIG. 29. Like the truss splicer beams 118, the trussdevises 122 are preferably channels attached to the edges of the trusses92 by bolts 125 passed through apertures in the truss devises 122, trussbeams 94, and panels 116. Alternatively, the truss devises 122 can beattached to the trusses 92 by welding or in any other conventionalmanner, and can take any of the other forms described above withreference to the truss beams 94 and truss splicer beams 118. Preferably,the truss devises 122 are attached to the primary uprights 14 by pins,posts, or conventional threaded fasteners 124 passing through alignedapertures in the uprights and truss devises 122.

[0123] In the case where additional force is exerted upon the primaryuprights 14, such as by a soffit 24 as shown in the embodiment of thepresent invention illustrated in FIG. 1, the primary uprights 14 can besupported by a truss clevis 122 adapted for this purpose. With referenceto FIG. 30 for example, the top truss clevis 122 illustrated in FIG. 29can be replaced with the truss devises illustrated in FIG. 30 adapted tosupport additional force exerted by the soffit or other additionalstructure. The truss clevis 122 illustrated in FIG. 30 preferablyincludes a gusset plate 126 adapted to connect to the primary upright 14at two locations (rather than at only one location as illustrated inFIG. 29), thereby transferring weight from the soffit 24 or otheradditional structure to the truss 92. If necessary, an extension can beattached to the primary upright 14 to provide a connection location forthe top truss clevis 122. As used herein, the term “primary upright 14”includes a unitary member as well as a member constructed of two or moreelements (including extensions). One having ordinary skill in the artwill appreciate that other elements having different shapes and mannersof connection can instead be used to accomplish the function of thetruss devises 122 and gusset plate 126 illustrated in the figures, eachone of which falls within the spirit and scope of the present invention.For example, the plate 126 can be replaced by a frame having one or morerods or cables (e.g. a rod running from the top clevis 122 diagonallytoward the truss beam 94), by one or more beams extending from the toptruss clevis 122 toward the truss beam 94, and the like. If desired, arail 119, beam, or other element preferably similar to the splicer beam118 or truss beam 94 can connect either or both truss devises to thetruss 92.

[0124] For additional overhead structure strength and rigidity, somepreferred embodiments employ bridge members 128 between the trusses 92to withstand lateral forces exerted on the trusses 92. The bridgemembers 128 (see, for example, FIG. 31) are preferably panels that canbe connected to adjacent trusses 92 in any conventional manner, such asby the angle brackets 130 and threaded fasteners 132 shown in thefigures. In other embodiments, the bridge members 128 can take the formof rods, beams, bars, or tubes connected to and between adjacent trusses92 in any conventional manner and performing the same functions of thepanel-type bridge members 128 described above.

[0125]FIG. 38 is a perspective view of multiple overhead trusses 92according to an embodiment of the present invention in which the trusses92 are connected to and extend over modular product storage and displayunits 133. Any number of trusses 92 can be connected to and extend overthe product storage and display units 133 (e.g., a single truss 92spanning over an isle between two rows of shelves, a number of suchtrusses 92 in parallel and spaced along a length of the shelves, and thelike). In some embodiments, at least some of the trusses 92 areconnected by bridge members 128 in a manner as described above, althoughsuch bridge members 128 need not necessarily be employed in otherembodiments.

[0126] In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 38, multipletrusses 92 are connected to and extend over gondola-based shelving units133, and are configured with the shelving units 133 to provide desirablefeatures, aspects, and/or benefits over conventional supportingstructure and/or methods. However, any number of the trusses 92 can beconnected to and extend over any other type of product storage anddisplay unit or combination of such units, including without limitationbins, shelving, warehouse or retail racks, stands, cabinets, cases,coolers and other enclosures, and the like. By way of example only, insome embodiments of the present invention, the trusses 92 bridge two ormore gondola-based shelving units 133 to generally provide a canopybetween the shelving units 133. As another example, the trusses 92 canbe connected to a set of warehouse-type racks on one end and a set ofcoolers on another end, and can span across any number of shelving unitsbetween the racks and coolers. Any other combination of product storageand display units 133 can be employed for mounting the overhead trusses92.

[0127] In those embodiments in which trusses 92 according to the presentinvention are connected to product storage and display units 133, thetrusses 92 can be mounted to any portion of the product storage anddisplay units 133, including without limitation on panels of the productstorage and display units 133, on uprights, stretchers, and other frameelements of the product storage and display units 133, and the like. Thetrusses 92 can be mounted to such portions of the product storage anddisplay units 133 in any suitable manner, such as by bolts, screws,rivets, pins, or other fasteners passed through apertures on the ends ofthe trusses 92, clamps securing flanges of the truss beams 94 or otherportions of the trusses 92, inter-engaging elements (e.g., fingers orheaded posts on the trusses 92 engaging in apertures or other elementson the product storage and display units 133, and vice versa), and thelike. By way of example, the trusses 92 can be secured to uprights of(or attached to) the product storage and display units 133 in any of themanners described above, as well as with reference to the embodimentsillustrated in FIGS. 29 and 30.

[0128] In some embodiments, one or more overhead trusses 92 according tothe present invention can be mounted to structure other than modularproduct storage and display units in order to span any part of suchunits. For example, one or more of the overhead trusses 92 can bemounted to interior or exterior walls of a building structure, topartitions, beams, or frames in the building structure, and the like. Asanother example, one end of each truss 92 in a set of trusses 92 can beconnected to gondola-based shelving units 133 in a manner similar tothat shown in FIG. 38, while another end of each truss 92 can be mountedto an exterior wall or stanchions of a building structure. In theseembodiments, the trusses 92 can be mounted to such structure in anysuitable manner, including in any of the manners described above withreference to the other truss embodiments and other manners of mountingtrusses according to the present invention.

[0129] The overhead truss(es) 92 can span over any number and type ofproduct storage and display units 133 desired, as well as over any otherstructure and elements and environment. For example, overhead trusses 92can span a single isle, can span over multiple isles separated in anymanner (such as by one or more product storage and display units 133which may or may not be connected to the overhead trusses 92), and canspan over any other structure or elements (e.g., islands, counters,merchandise and other product, equipment, open spaces, and the like).

[0130] A number of elements and structures can be suspended from one ormore trusses 92 according to the present invention. By way of exampleonly, any number of signs, displays, lighting fixtures, fans,electrical, gas, ventilation, or plumbing elements, products andmerchandise, and other elements can be suspended from and/or supportedby the trusses 92.

[0131] As shown in FIG. 38, in some embodiments, multiple trusses 92 candefine a canopy. Such trusses can be a network of trusses 92 abovetraffic passing between product storage and display units 133. A canopycan be desirable for suspending and/or supporting products and fordisplaying signage (e.g., in relatively close proximity to potentialcustomers and other traffic passing between the shelving units 133), orfor suspending and/or supporting any of the other elements or structuredescribed above. If not for the overhead trusses 92, products, signage,and other elements would have to be supported and/or suspended in othermanners, such as from rafters or other structure in the buildingenclosing the shelving units 133. In warehouse-style retail stores whichoften employ relatively high ceilings, supporting and/or suspendingproducts and/or signage from rafters can be undesirable.

[0132] In another aspect of the invention, the network of trusses 92 andbridge members 128 can also support a suspended ceiling (not shown).Such a suspended ceiling can be desirable to shelter traffic passingbetween the shelving units 133 from environment outside of the structurewhich the trusses 92 spans. In addition, the suspended ceiling cansupport lighting modules for the shelving units 133, signage and otherdisplays, HVAC equipment, and other devices and equipment as desired.

[0133] The trusses 92 in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 38 aresubstantially the same as those previously described and illustrated inFIGS. 28-31. In addition, the truss beams 94 connecting the trusses 92to uprights, upright members 135, or other structure as described above,and the bridge members 128 connecting adjacent trusses 92 aresubstantially the same as those previously described and illustrated inFIGS. 28-31. As shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 38, theupright members 135 supporting the overhead trusses 92 are integralcomponents of the shelving units 133. The upright members 135 can beconfigured in substantially the same manner as the uprights 14illustrated in FIG. 29, such that shelves can be releasably coupled tothe upright members 135 via apertures 137 in the upright members 135.

[0134] Another valuable aspect of the present invention is the abilityto use various components of the modular room 10 as both external andinternal room components. Specifically, those elements of the presentinvention that define the outer walls or perimeter of the modular room(e.g., upright members, wall panels, stretchers, doors, windowassemblies, pass-thrus, and the like) are designed to fit within theframework defined by the primary uprights 14, which are assembled atpredetermined distances such as by 24″, 32″, or 48″ on center. Becausethe primary uprights 14 are preferably (although not necessarily)separated by such standard distances, these elements can be manufacturedand supplied in such sizes and can be readily assembled and/or installedwithout on-site modification. This modularity is a valuable aspect ofthe present invention, because it permits a user to design a room layoutbased at least partially upon known spacings between the primaryuprights 14. Furthermore, fixtures and other elements connected to theprimary uprights 14 can also be manufactured and supplied inpredetermined sizes for use with such standardized construction, therebyfurther increasing the modularity of the room 10. For example, with thestandard spacing between the primary uprights 14 known, a user caneasily select and arrange the layout of the fixtures inside and outsideof the room 10. Because fixtures are preferably manufactured in standardsizes, they can also be quickly supplied and assembled and installedwithout on-site modification.

[0135] However, when a designer wishes to employ a standard-sizedmodular room component or fixture for the inside of the modular room 10,an issue may arise regarding the location of interior primary uprights14. For example, without compensation, a standard-sized wall panel foran exterior wall of the modular room 10 would normally be too large touse as an interior wall in the room because the wall is located withinan enclosed area defined by identically-sized walls. This can presentproblems when the room designer wishes to align the primary uprights 14of the exterior walls with the primary uprights 14 of the interiorwalls. This problem is illustrated in FIGS. 35 and 36, and is discussedin greater detail in the background above.

[0136] In order to address the problems just described, some embodimentsof the present invention employ anchor assemblies 26 designed to aligninterior and exterior walls extending from a common wall of the modularroom so that the edges of the interior and exterior walls are alignedthe same (or substantially the same) distance from the common wall. Eachof these anchor assemblies 26 is designed to mount multiple primaryuprights 14: at least one primary upright 14 to which one or moreexterior wall panels 12, stretchers 28, or other wall components can beconnected and at least one primary upright 14 to which one or moreinterior wall panels 12, stretchers 28, or other wall components can beconnected. This enables the use of primary uprights 14 that are adaptedfor mounting to wall panels 12, stretchers 28, or other wall componentson less than all sides of the primary uprights 14 and primary uprights14 that are smaller in shape and have a more efficient load bearingdesign (e.g., primary uprights 14 having an elongated rectangularcross-sectional shape rather than a square cross-sectional shape). Foursuch anchor assemblies 26 are illustrated in FIGS. 15-17, 18-20, 22, and23.

[0137] In some preferred embodiments of the present invention wherestandard-sized internal walls, components, and fixtures (as describedabove) are desired for the modular room 10, the anchor assemblies 26illustrated in FIGS. 15-17, 18-20, 22, and 23 can be used to join anexterior room wall with an interior room wall. With particular referenceto FIG. 37 for example, a plurality of anchor assemblies 26 and primaryuprights 14 are illustrated and are used to illustrate joining of anexterior room wall with an interior room wall. With reference to FIGS.15-17 for example, this type of anchor assembly 26 is preferablyconnected to a primary upright 14 of the exterior wall and a primaryupright 14 of the interior wall. Due to the location of the uprightmembers 46 on the base plate 44, the interior wall primary upright 14(the bottom primary upright 14 in FIG. 17) connected thereto is offset adistance from the center of the exterior wall primary upright 14 (thetop primary upright in FIG. 17) within the exterior wall. With referenceto the anchor assembly 26 illustrated in FIG. 14, this offset distanceis preferably the same distance between the center of one exteriorprimary upright 14 from the other exterior primary upright in the corneranchor assembly 26 illustrated in FIG. 14. In other words, with respectto an exterior wall of the modular room 10, a primary upright 14 in eachof the anchor assemblies 26 illustrated in FIGS. 14 and 15 is preferablylocated the same distance from the center of the exterior wall to whichthe anchor assemblies 26 are connected.

[0138] As a result, all of the primary uprights 14 in the exterior wallare preferably located the same distance from primary uprights adjacentto the exterior wall on the same anchor assemblies 26 (such as primaryuprights 14 of abutting interior walls or primary uprights 14 ofadjacent exterior walls). Therefore, the same wall panels 12, stretchers28, and other wall components (i.e., having the same dimensions)available for use with the exterior of the modular room 10 canpreferably be used for the room interior. This significantly reduces thenumber and types of parts needed for manufacturing and assembling amodular room with interior walls, components, and fixtures, increasesassembly speed, and lowers the cost of the modular room 10.

[0139] With reference again to FIGS. 4-6, some preferred embodiments ofthe present invention have mop boards 30 that are attached to the bottomwalls of the modular room 10 in order to at least partially enclose orhide the anchor assemblies 26, primary uprights 14, and other elementslocated at or near floor level. Because the primary uprights 14 arepreferably vertically adjustable as described above to level the wallsof the modular room 10, it is desirable to use mop boards 30 that can beadjusted to be flush with the floor in order to accommodate differentpositions of the primary uprights 14 and the wall components connectedthereto. Therefore, the present invention preferably employs verticallyadjustable mop boards 30. The mop boards 30 are preferably connected tothe primary uprights 14 and/or the anchor assemblies 26 by threadedfasteners 134 passed through apertures 32 in the mop boards 30 and intoelongated apertures 136 in the primary uprights 14 and/or anchorassemblies 26 (see FIGS. 5 and 6). In the illustrated embodiments of thepresent invention, the elongated apertures 136 are in the primaryuprights 14, but could instead be in the anchor assemblies 26. Byloosening the threaded fasteners 134, the mop boards 30 can preferablybe lowered or raised to a desired position and can be secured in placeby again tightening the threaded fasteners 134. One having ordinaryskill in the art will appreciate that elongated vertical apertures inthe mop boards 30 (through which the threaded fasteners are passed) canbe used to accomplish the same function. Other ways of releasablyconnecting the mop boards 30 to the bottoms of the room walls arepossible. For example, the mop boards 30 can be releasably connected invarying locations by one or more clips, pegs, pins, and the likereceived within different apertures at different heights or withinelongated apertures or slots in the mop boards 30 and/or the anchorplates 26 or primary uprights 14. These and other alternative adjustableconnection methods fall within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

[0140] With reference to FIGS. 33 and 34, some preferred embodiments ofthe present invention employ modesty strips 138, 140 in order to coveror otherwise at least partially hide the primary uprights 12 of themodular room 10, thereby also preferably hiding apertures and otherconnecting structure of the primary uprights 14. Two examples of suchmodesty strips are illustrated in FIGS. 33 and 34: upright modestypanels or strips 138 and corner modesty panels or strips 140. In theillustrated embodiments, the upright modesty strips 138 are preferablyused to cover apertures 86 that are not being used to hang fixtures orother components therefrom, while corner modesty strips 140 are used toimprove the appearance of room corners, such as by rounding or squaringoff the corners or by covering a gap created by adjacent panels at acorner of the modular room 10.

[0141] In some embodiments, the upright modesty strips 138 havefasteners for fastening the upright modesty strips 138 to the primaryuprights 14. In other embodiments, the upright modesty strips 138 haveresilient clips that insert into apertures 86 of the primary uprights 14and thereby engage the primary uprights 14 to secure the upright modestystrips 138 in place. Any number of resilient clips can be used toconnect the upright modesty strips 138 to the primary uprights 14.Preferably, the fasteners are integral with the modesty strips such asthe resilient clips. Although resilient clips are preferred, other typesof fasteners and fastening methods can be employed to secure the modestystrips 138 in place on the uprights 14, including without limitationscrews, nails, brads, staples, pins, posts, fingers, magnets, and anyother conventional fastener. In the illustrated embodiments of FIGS. 33,34, 34A and 34B, the upright modesty strip 138 can be C-shaped withresilient ends that engage side surfaces of the primary upright 14 andthereby resiliently connect the upright modesty strip 138 to the primaryupright 14. Preferably, the upright modesty strip 138 engages the edgesof the rail 106 as best illustrated in FIGS. 34A and 34B. In instanceswhere a rail 106 is not connected to both sides of the primary upright14, the upright modesty strip engages the side of the primary upright14. The side of the modesty strip 138 that engages the non-rail 106 sideof the upright 14 may not include a projection as best illustrated inFIG. 34B. The projection may be trimmed from the modesty strip or themodesty strip 138 may be manufactured without the projection. In otherembodiments, the upright modesty strips 138 can be welded to orintegrally formed with the primary uprights 14.

[0142] In some embodiments, the upright modesty strip 138 can beattached to cover a face of a primary upright 14 and can have one ormore legs extending to an adjacent side of the primary upright 14. Twoexamples of such modesty strips 138 are illustrated in FIGS. 34A and34B. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 34A, the modesty strip 138 has anOmega-shaped cross section, and has resilient legs straddling theprimary upright 14 to retain the modesty strip 138 upon the primaryupright 14. If desired, and depending at least in part upon the mannerin which wall panels 12 and other structure are connected to the primaryupright 14, either or both legs of the modesty strip 138 can be receivedbetween a wall panel 12 connected to the primary upright 14 and asidewall of the primary upright 14. This can provide a more secureconnection of the modesty strip 138 to the primary upright 14. In somehighly preferred embodiments, either or both legs of the modesty strip138 are engagable with a recess, wall, or other feature or element onthe primary upright 14. With reference to FIG. 34A for example, the legsof the modesty strip 138 are received within a groove of the rail 106,thereby providing a more positive engagement of the modesty strip 138with the primary upright 14. In addition, this engagement (along withthe other types of resilient engagement of the modesty strips describedabove) can also be sufficiently strong to obviate the need for fastenersto mount the modesty strip 138.

[0143] In some cases, it may be desirable for the modesty strip 138 toextend around the primary upright 14 on only one side thereof (such aswhen the primary upright 14 is laterally attached to a wall panel 12 orother wall components on only one side of the primary upright 14). Insuch a case, the modesty strip 138 can be adapted to only extend to oneside of the primary upright 14. An example of such a modesty strip isillustrated in FIG. 34B.

[0144] The corner modesty strips 140 of the illustrated preferredembodiment in FIGS. 33 and 34 can be connected to one or more adjacentprimary uprights 14 in any of the manners described above with referenceto the upright modesty strips 138. Alternatively or in addition, thecorner modesty strips 140 can include a hook and screw assembly 144.Specifically, the corner modesty strips 140 can be connected to adjacentprimary uprights 14 by hooking the hook and screw assembly 144 over awire 146 attached to the primary uprights 14 and by tightening the hookand screw assembly 144 to the wire 146. In other embodiments, the cornermodesty strips 140 can be connected to the primary uprights in stillother manners falling within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. For example, fasteners or external clips can be used toconnect the corner modesty strips 140 to the primary uprights 14. Asanother example, the corner modesty strips 140 can be resiliently heldbetween the primary uprights 14 by resilient flanges of the cornermodesty strips. In still other embodiments, the corner modesty strips140 can be welded to or integrally formed with either or both adjacentprimary uprights 14.

[0145] The embodiments described above and illustrated in the figuresare presented by way of example only and are not intended as alimitation upon the concepts and principles of the present invention. Assuch, it will be appreciated by one having ordinary skill in the artthat various changes in the elements and their configuration andarrangement are possible without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe present invention as set forth in the appended claims.

I claim:
 1. A modular room upright assembly for use in a modular roomconstructed upon a floor surface, the modular room upright assemblycomprising: a substantially vertical elongated upright having a wall atleast partially defining an interior of the upright; a bottom endadjacent to the floor surface; and at least one aperture in the wall; abracket coupled to the bottom end of the upright, the bracket having: afirst portion received within the aperture of the upright, extendinglongitudinally within the interior of the upright to the bottom end ofthe upright, and having a distal end releasably coupled to an interiorwall of the upright; a second portion extending away from the upright toa location disposed from the upright; and a foot coupled to the secondportion and positioned to rest upon the floor a distance from theupright.
 2. The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 1,wherein the interior wall of the upright is at least partially definedby an end wall of the upright closing the bottom end of the upright. 3.The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the endwall has an aperture therein through which an end of the first portionof the bracket extends to engage the end wall of the upright.
 4. Themodular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the firstportion extends through the bottom end of the upright.
 5. The modularroom upright assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first portionof the bracket is received within an aperture in the interior wall ofthe upright.
 6. A modular room, comprising: a plurality of uprights; aplurality of anchor plates, each anchor plate coupled to at least one ofthe plurality of uprights; first and second adjacent exterior wallpanels coupled to a first upright of the plurality of uprights, thefirst and second adjacent exterior wall panels located substantially ina first plane and at least partially defining a first exterior wall ofthe modular room; a third exterior wall panel having a width, the thirdexterior wall panel coupled to a second upright of the plurality ofuprights and extending a first distance away from the first plane to atleast partially define a corner of the modular room and a secondexterior wall of the modular room at an angle with respect to the firstexterior wall; and an interior wall panel having the same width as thethird exterior wall panel, the interior wall panel coupled to a thirdupright of the plurality of uprights and extending into an interior ofthe modular room a second distance substantially the same as the firstdistance, the first and third uprights coupled to a common one of theplurality of anchor plates.
 7. The modular room as claimed in claim 6,wherein the second and third uprights are disposed in a second planesubstantially parallel to the first plane.
 8. The modular room asclaimed in claim 6, wherein the first and second exterior walls aresubstantially orthogonal to one another.
 9. The modular room as claimedin claim 6, wherein the second and third uprights are located on thesame side of the first plane and are located the same distance away fromthe first plane.
 10. The modular room as claimed in claim 6, wherein:the modular room has a plurality of exterior walls of which the firstand second exterior walls are a part; and the interior wall panel islocated entirely inside of the plurality of exterior walls.
 11. Themodular room as claimed in claim 6, wherein the common one of theplurality of anchor plates has two upstanding members to which the firstand third uprights are coupled, the two upstanding members adapted toconnect upright members in different orientations upon the anchor plate.12. The modular room as claimed in claim 6, further comprising: a fourthupright in the first exterior wall; and a second one of the plurality ofanchor plates to which the fourth and second uprights are coupled.
 13. Amodular room comprising: first, second, and third exterior anchorplates; an interior anchor plate; first and second uprights coupled tothe first exterior anchor plate; a third upright coupled to the secondexterior anchor plate; a fourth upright coupled to the third exterioranchor plate; a fifth upright coupled to the interior anchor plate; aninterior wall panel coupled at a first end to the first upright and at asecond end to the fifth upright; a first exterior wall panel coupled ata first end to the third upright and at a second end to the fourthupright, the first exterior wall panel substantially parallel to andspaced from the interior wall panel; and a second exterior wall panelcoupled at a first end to the second upright and at a second end to thesecond anchor plate; the first exterior wall panel and the interior wallpanel having the same width between the third and fourth uprights andbetween the first and fifth uprights, respectively, the second end ofthe first exterior wall panel and the second end of the interior wallpanel terminating in a plane substantially parallel to the secondexterior wall panel.
 14. The modular room as claimed in claim 13,further comprising a sixth upright coupled to the second anchor plate,wherein the second exterior wall panel is coupled to the second anchorplate via the sixth upright.
 15. The modular room as claimed in claim14, wherein: the second and sixth uprights are disposed in a firstplane; and the first and third uprights are disposed in a second planesubstantially parallel to and disposed a distance from the first plane.16. The modular room as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first exteriorwall panel and the interior wall panel have the same width.
 17. Themodular room as claimed in claim 13, wherein the first exterior wallpanel and the interior wall panel are interchangeable.
 18. The modularroom as claimed in claim 13, wherein: the modular room has a pluralityof exterior walls of which the first and second exterior wall panels area part; and the interior wall panel is enclosed within the exteriorwalls of the modular room.
 19. An anchor plate assembly for securingfirst and second uprights of a modular room with respect to a floor, theanchor plate assembly comprising: a base plate; a first member extendingvertically from the base plate and adapted to be secured to the firstupright in a first angular orientation with respect to the base plate;and a second member extending vertically from the base plate and adaptedto be secured to the second upright in a second angular orientation withrespect to the base plate, the second angular orientation beingdifferent than the first angular orientation.
 20. The anchor plateassembly as claimed in claim 19, in which the first and second uprightseach have a rectangular cross-sectional shape defined by a first sideand a second side longer than the first side, wherein: the second sideof the first upright abuts the first member and wherein the second sideof the second upright abuts the second member.
 21. The anchor plateassembly as claimed in claim 20, wherein the second side of the firstupright is substantially orthogonal to the second side of the secondupright.
 22. The anchor plate assembly as claimed in claim 19, in whichthe first and second uprights each having a rectangular cross-sectionalshape defined by a first side and a second side longer than the firstside, wherein: the first upright is coupled to the base plate at adifferent angular orientation with respect to the base plate than thesecond upright.
 23. The anchor plate assembly as claimed in claim 22,wherein the first member is oriented at a right angle with respect tothe second member.
 24. An overhead truss network of a modular room, thetruss network having at least two substantially parallel overheadtrusses, each of the substantially parallel overhead trusses comprising:a first panel; a second panel substantially co-planar with respect tothe first panel and in end-to-end relationship with the first panel, thefirst and second panels defining a seam between the first and secondpanels; and a beam coupled to the first and second panels, the beamspanning and coupling the first and second panels together.
 25. Theoverhead truss as claimed in claim 24, wherein the beam is located on anedge of each of the first and second panels.
 26. The overhead truss asclaimed in claim 24, wherein the beam is attached to the first andsecond panels by fasteners extending through the beam and the first andsecond panels.
 27. The overhead truss as claimed in claim 24, furthercomprising at least one beam connected at opposite ends to the firstpanel and to an adjacent truss in the truss network.
 28. A modular roomupright assembly adapted to be coupled to a floor, the modular roomupright assembly comprising: a substantially vertical elongated uprighthaving a bottom end; and a plurality of sidewalls; a base plate; a firstfastener adapted to secure the base plate to the floor; and anupstanding member extending from the base plate, the upstanding memberclamped by a second fastener against a substantially vertical face of asidewall of the upright adjacent to the bottom end of the upright, thesecond fastener received through apertures in the upright and upstandingmember to clamp the upright and upstanding member together.
 29. Themodular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein theupstanding member has at least one edge clamped against thesubstantially vertical face of the sidewall.
 30. The modular roomupright assembly as claimed in claim 29, wherein the at least one edgeestablishes line contact of the upstanding member against the upright.31. The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 28, whereinthe upstanding member is a first upstanding member, the modular roomupright assembly further comprising a second upstanding member extendingfrom the base plate, the second upstanding member clamped against theupright adjacent to the bottom end of the upright.
 32. The modular roomupright assembly as claimed in claim 31, wherein the first and secondupstanding members clamp the upright on opposite sides.
 33. The modularroom upright assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein: the substantiallyvertical elongated upright is a first substantially vertical elongatedupright; and the upstanding member is a first upstanding member, themodular room upright assembly further comprising a second substantiallyvertical elongated upright, and a second upstanding member extendingfrom the base plate, the second upstanding member clamped against asubstantially vertical face of a sidewall of the second upright adjacentto bottom end of the second upright.
 34. The modular room uprightassembly as claimed in claim 33, wherein the first and second uprightsare oriented at an angle upon the base plate with respect to oneanother.
 35. The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 33,wherein the first and second uprights are substantially orthogonal toone another on the base plate.
 36. The modular room upright assembly asclaimed in claim 34, wherein: each of the first and second uprights areadapted for connection to laterally-extending stretchers on two of foursides; and the substantially vertical face of the first upright isoriented at an angle with respect to the substantially vertical face ofthe second upright.
 37. The modular room upright assembly as claimed inclaim 28, wherein: the upright is adapted for connection tolaterally-extending stretchers on two of four sides of the upright; andthe upright is connected to the upstanding member on one of the twoother sides of the upright.
 38. The modular room upright assembly asclaimed in claim 28, further comprising an aperture defined in the baseplate through which the first fastener is received.
 39. The modular roomupright assembly as claimed in claim 28, wherein the upstanding memberand the upright have mating cross-sectional shapes for mating theupstanding member with the upright, the upright being resistant tolateral movement with respect to the upstanding member by virtue of themating cross-sectional shapes.
 40. A modular room upright assemblyadapted to be coupled to the floor, comprising: an elongated andsubstantially vertical upright having a bottom end; a base plate adaptedto be connected to the floor by at least one fastener; a memberextending from the base plate adjacent to the substantially verticalupright; a foot coupled to the bottom end of the vertical upright via athreaded connection and resting upon the base plate; the threadedconnection adjustable while the foot is upon the base plate to raise andlower the upright with respect to the foot in order to raise and lowerthe upright to different positions with respect to the base plate andfloor; and a fastener received in a first aperture through the uprightand a second aperture through the member, at least one of the first andsecond apertures being shaped to receive the fastener in a plurality ofpositions of the upright with respect to the member to retain theupright in place against the member in at least two of the plurality ofpositions.
 41. The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 40,wherein the foot is a head of a threaded fastener received within athreaded aperture defined in the bottom end of the upright.
 42. Themodular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 40, wherein one of thefirst and second apertures comprises an elongated aperture, and whereinthe fastener is adapted to releasably secure the upright against themember in different relative positions.
 43. The modular room uprightassembly as claimed in claim 40, wherein the upright is adapted to beclamped to the member.
 44. The modular room upright assembly as claimedin claim 40, wherein the member has an aperture defined therein locatedto permit access to the foot with a tool.
 45. The modular room uprightassembly as claimed in claim 40, wherein the foot can be turned to raiseand lower the upright to different vertical positions with respect tothe member.
 46. An anchor assembly for connecting of at least oneupright of a modular room to a floor, the anchor assembly comprising: abase plate having a plurality of edges; an upstanding member extendingfrom the base plate, the upstanding member adapted to be clamped to anupright of the modular room to secure the upright against movementrelative to the base plate; at least one of the edges of the base platebeing at an angle with respect to the floor and resistant to deformationfrom bending moments transmitted from the upright to the anchorassembly.
 47. The anchor assembly as claimed in claim 46, wherein thebase plate is substantially planar.
 48. The anchor assembly as claimedin claim 46, wherein the at least one edge is oriented in a generallyupward direction with respect to the floor.
 49. A wall assembly for amodular room, the wall assembly comprising: a substantially verticalupright having an elongated body; a plurality of sidewalls; and aplurality of apertures along the elongated body defined in a firstsidewall of the plurality of sidewalls; a wall panel coupled to a secondsidewall of the plurality of sidewalls, wherein the wall panel iscoupled to the upright by a stretcher coupled to the second sidewall ofthe plurality of sidewalls; and a modesty strip releasably coupled toand running along at least part of the elongated body, the modesty stripcovering at least some of the plurality of apertures in the sidewall.50. The wall assembly as claimed in claim 49, wherein the modesty stripextends between the wall panel and the second sidewall of the upright.51. The wall assembly as claimed in claim 49, wherein the modesty stripis snap-fit over the first sidewall.
 52. The wall assembly as claimed inclaim 49, wherein the modesty strip has legs straddling the upright. 53.A modular room assembly comprising: a first elongated and substantiallyvertical upright having a bottom end; a second elongated andsubstantially vertical upright located a distance from the first uprightand having a bottom end; a wall panel coupled to the first and seconduprights to at least partially define a wall of the modular room; and amopboard coupled to the bottom end of the first upright with a firstfastener and coupled to the bottom end of the second upright by a secondfastener, the mopboard adjustably connectable to different relativepositions with respect to the bottom ends of the first and seconduprights via the first and second fasteners received within and movableto different positions along elongated apertures in at least one of themopboard and the first and second uprights.
 54. The modular room asclaimed in claim 53, wherein the mopboard has a first elongated aperturedefined therein through which the first fastener is received; and asecond elongated aperture defined therein through which the secondfastener is received, the mopboard adjustable to different positionsrelative to the first and second uprights by securing the first andsecond fasteners in different positions within the first and secondelongated apertures, respectively.
 55. The modular room as claimed inclaim 53, wherein the first and second fasteners are connectable todifferent locations on the bottom ends of the first and second uprights,respectively, corresponding to different relative positions of themopboard and the uprights.
 56. The modular room as claimed in claim 53,wherein the first and second fasteners are received within elongatedapertures in the bottom ends of the first and second uprights,respectively.
 57. The modular room as claimed in claim 53, wherein theuprights are adjustable to different heights.
 58. A modular room uprightassembly for use in a modular room constructed upon a floor surface, themodular room upright assembly comprising: a substantially verticalelongated upright having a wall at least partially defining an interiorof the upright; a bottom end adjacent to the floor surface; and at leastone aperture in the wall; a bracket coupled to the bottom end of theupright, the bracket having: a first portion received within theaperture of the upright, extending within the interior of the upright ata non-perpendicular angular orientation with respect to the wall of theupright, and having a distal end releasably coupled to an interior wallof the upright; a second portion extending away from the upright to alocation disposed from the upright; and a foot coupled to the secondportion and positioned to rest upon the floor a distance from theupright.
 59. The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 58,wherein the interior wall of the upright is at least partially definedby an end wall of the upright closing the bottom end of the upright. 60.The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 58, wherein thefirst portion extends longitudinally within the interior of the uprightto the bottom end of the upright.
 61. The modular room upright assemblyas claimed in claim 59, wherein the end wall has an aperture thereinthrough which an end of the first portion of the bracket extends toengage the end wall of the upright.
 62. The modular room uprightassembly as claimed in claim 58, wherein the first portion extendsthrough the bottom end of the upright.
 63. The modular room uprightassembly as claimed in claim 58, wherein the first portion of thebracket is received within an aperture in the interior wall of theupright.
 64. A modular room upright assembly for use in a modular roomconstructed upon a floor surface, the modular room upright assemblycomprising: a substantially vertical elongated upright having a wall atleast partially defining an interior of the upright; a bottom endadjacent to the floor surface; and at least one aperture in the wall; aone-piece bracket coupled to the bottom end of the upright, the brackethaving: a first portion received within the aperture of the upright,extending within the interior of the upright, and having a distal endreleasably coupled to an interior wall of the upright; and a secondportion extending away from the upright to a location disposed from theupright; and a foot coupled to the second portion and positioned to restupon the floor a distance from the upright.
 65. The modular room uprightassembly as claimed in claim 64, wherein the interior wall of theupright is at least partially defined by an end wall of the uprightclosing the bottom end of the upright.
 66. The modular room uprightassembly as claimed in claim 64, wherein the first portion extendslongitudinally within the interior of the upright to the bottom end ofthe upright.
 67. The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim65, wherein the end wall has an aperture therein through which an end ofthe first portion of the bracket extends to engage the end wall of theupright.
 68. The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 64,wherein the first portion extends through the bottom end of the upright.69. The modular room upright assembly as claimed in claim 64, whereinthe first portion of the bracket is received within an aperture in theinterior wall of the upright
 70. An overhead truss for a modular room,the overhead truss comprising: a first panel; a second panelsubstantially co-planar with respect to the first panel and inend-to-end relationship with the first panel, the first and secondpanels in abutting relationship to define a seam therebetween; and abeam coupled to the first and second panels, the beam spanning andcoupling the first and second panels together.
 71. The overhead truss asclaimed in claim 70, wherein the beam is located on an edge of each ofthe first and second panels.
 72. The overhead truss as claimed in claim70, wherein the beam is attached to the first and second panels byfasteners extending through the beam and the first and second panels.73. The overhead truss as claimed in claim 70 for use in a truss networkhaving at least two substantially parallel trusses, each of thesubstantially parallel trusses having a first panel; a second panelsubstantially co-planar with respect to the first panel and in anend-to-end relationship with the first panel, the first and secondpanels of each truss defining a seam between each pair of first andsecond panels; and a beam coupled to the first and second panels, thebeam of each truss spanning and coupling the first and second panelstogether.
 74. The overhead truss as claimed in claim 73, furthercomprising at least one beam connected at opposite ends to the firstpanel and to an adjacent truss in the truss network.
 75. A wall assemblyfor a modular room, the wall assembly comprising: a substantiallyvertical upright having an elongated body; a plurality of sidewalls; anda plurality of apertures along the elongated body defined in a firstsidewall of the plurality of sidewalls; a wall panel coupled to a secondsidewall of the plurality of sidewalls; and a modesty strip snap-fit toand running along at least part of the elongated body, the modesty stripcovering at least some of the plurality of apertures in the sidewall.76. The wall assembly as claimed in claim 75, wherein the wall panel iscoupled to the upright by a stretcher coupled to the second sidewall ofthe plurality of sidewalls.
 77. The wall assembly as claimed in claim75, wherein the modesty strip extends between the wall panel and thesecond sidewall of the upright.
 78. The wall assembly as claimed inclaim 75, wherein the modesty strip has legs straddling the upright. 79.An overhead truss for a product storage and display structure, theoverhead truss comprising: a first panel; a second panel substantiallyco-planar with respect to the first panel and in end-to-end abuttingrelationship with the first panel, the first and second panels defininga seam therebetween; and a beam coupled to the first and second panels,the beam spanning and coupling the first and second panels together. 80.The overhead truss as claimed in claim 79, wherein the beam is locatedon an edge of each of the first and second panels.
 81. The overheadtruss as claimed in claim 79, wherein the beam is attached to the firstand second panels by fasteners extending through the beam and the firstand second panels.
 82. The overhead truss as claimed in claim 79, foruse in a truss network having at least two substantially paralleltrusses, each of the substantially parallel trusses having: a firstpanel; a second panel substantially co-planar with respect to the firstpanel and in an end-to-end relationship with the first panel, the firstand second panels defining a seam between the first and second panels;and a beam coupled to the first and second panels, the beam spanning andcoupling the first and second panels together.
 83. The overhead truss asclaimed in claim 82, further comprising at least one beam connected atopposite ends to the first panel and to an adjacent truss in the trussnetwork.
 84. An overhead truss for a product storage and displaystructure, the overhead truss comprising: a first panel; a second panelsubstantially co-planar with respect to the first panel and inend-to-end relationship with the first panel, the first and secondpanels defining a seam therebetween; and a beam coupled to the first andsecond panels, the beam spanning and coupling the first and secondpanels together and attached to the first and second panels by fastenersextending through the beam and the first and second panels.
 85. Theoverhead truss as claimed in claim 84, wherein the beam is located on anedge of each of the first and second panels.
 86. The overhead truss asclaimed in claim 84, for use in a truss network having at least twosubstantially parallel trusses, each of the substantially paralleltrusses having: a first panel; a second panel substantially co-planarwith respect to the first panel and in an end-to-end relationship withthe first panel, the first and second panels defining a seam between thefirst and second panels; and a beam coupled to the first and secondpanels, the beam spanning and coupling the first and second panelstogether.
 87. The overhead truss as claimed in claim 86, furthercomprising at least one beam connected at opposite ends to the firstpanel and to an adjacent truss in the truss network.
 88. An overheadtruss network for a product storage and display structure, the overheadtruss network comprising at least two substantially parallel trusses,each truss having: a first panel; a second panel substantially co-planarwith respect to the first panel and in an end-to-end relationship withthe first panel, the first and second panels defining a seam between thefirst and second panels; and a beam coupled to the first and secondpanels, the beam spanning and coupling the first and second panelstogether.
 89. The overhead truss network as claimed in claim 88, whereinthe beam of each truss is located on an edge of each of the first andsecond panels.
 90. The overhead truss as claimed in claim 88, furthercomprising at least one beam connected at opposite ends to adjacenttrusses in the overhead truss network.
 91. A product storage and displaystructure, comprising: at least one product storage and display unit; anoverhead truss connected to the at least one product storage and displayunit, the overhead truss having a first panel; a second panelsubstantially co-planar with respect to the first panel and inend-to-end relationship with the first panel; and a beam coupled to thefirst and second panels, the beam spanning and coupling the first andsecond panels together.
 92. The product storage and display structure asclaimed in claim 91, further comprising at least one upright connectingthe truss to the product storage and display unit.
 93. The productstorage and display structure as claimed in claim 91, wherein theoverhead truss is coupled at opposite ends to respective product storageand display units.
 94. The product storage and display structure asclaimed in claim 91, wherein the at least one product storage anddisplay unit is at least one of a shelving unit and a rack unit.
 95. Theproduct storage and display structure as claimed in claim 91, comprisingat least one other overhead truss substantially parallel with theoverhead truss to define a canopy adjacent the at least one productstorage and display unit.
 96. The product storage and display structureas claimed in claim 91, wherein the overhead truss extends over at leasta portion of the at least one product storage and display unit.